Shopping with the Devil

Just as there are blood diamonds there are blood garments. Tragically and eerily reminiscent of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in New York that I wrote about last year on the 100th anniversary of that awful tragedy in a piece called Rise Like Lions After Slumber, last week 117 workers were killed in a devastating fire at a garment factory in Bangladesh. It was a sweat shop making clothes for Walmart and other retailers. If you shop at Walmart you are morally complicit in this horror.

Just like the workers in New York 100 years ago these workers were mainly young women who were trapped in the fire. There were no emergency exits and the only exit door was locked. According to a report, “fire extinguishers didn’t work and apparently were there just to impress inspectors and that when the fire alarm went off workers were told by their bosses to go back to their sewing machines.” Twelve of the workers died after jumping from the eight-story building.

Walmart tried to evade responsibility by claiming it was not aware of any connection to that factory. But the corporation was forced to admit the connection after photos were published that showed clothing with Walmart’s exclusive “Faded Glory” label at that factory after the fire.

Walmart is the largest buyer of garments from Bangladesh, which has a notorious record of ignoring the safety of workers and suppressing their attempts to improve their conditions. Yet Walmart appears not to have taken the necessary steps to enforce safe conditions for these workers, including making sure its contractors and subcontractors were complying with basic fire codes. They want what they want and they want it cheap. It’s been reported that Walmart did not end its relationship with the supplier even though “the safety risk posed…was understood well before Sunday’s blaze.”

The Nation’s Josh Eidelson writes: “Walmart has come under repeated scrutiny for the labor conditions at its suppliers. In June, guest workers at C.J.’s Seafood went on strike over alleged forced labor conditions; after initially saying it had investigated and couldn’t substantiate the accusations, Walmart eventually suspended the supplier. In September, Human Rights Watch released a report finding widespread debt bondage at the Phatthana shrimp company in Thailand, and accusing Walmart of offering shifting and contradictory explanations of its relationship to the company.”

If you shop at Walmart you’re shopping with the devil.

Crucial Advice You Should Know About Furniture

You can make much better choices and save money just by educating yourself. Research is important when shopping for furniture. This article is going to assist you in becoming a bit of advice so you’re better able to take on furniture shopping.

The end of summer is the best timeframe to buy patio furniture. Many stores want to sell summer items to make room for new incoming items. This is why they slash prices cheaper so they’re more affordable.

Test out all pieces you want to buy. It might be tempting to buy that new couch online, but until you are sure of what it looks like in person, you may be in for disappointment when it lands in your home. You may discover that the cushions’ firmness or the overall feel of the piece is not like it as much when you actually see it. It’s smart to buy after you know how you feel about it.

Make sure the reclining chair or couch you want works before purchasing it. It can be difficult to get a replacement from certain furniture stores.

Always measure the space you’re about to get furniture for. Whether buying a sofa, table or couch, you need to know that it will fit. Guessing can turn out badly.

Check out the legs of furniture along with other vital parts to ensure it is well made and will last. The chairs legs need to be heavy and joined to the frame. Wooden legs are the most durable, metal or plastic, which can easily scratch flooring.

Given that you have now digested this material, you ought to be prepared to put it to good use. Taking time to read this was important, but using what you’ve learned is key. You may also want to print this guide out to take with you when shopping.